Unit 4: Origins, Characteristics, and Uses of Crash Data

1. Unit 4: Origins, Characteristics, and Uses of Crash Data Daniel Carter, P.E., Senior Engineering Research AssociateCarl Sundstrom, P.E., Engineering Research Associate

2. Core Competency 3: Part 1: State, Local, and Federal Data and Information Systems Part 2: Crash Data Collection and Use in Road Safety Management Tracking your way through Road Safety 101 1

3. State, Local, and Federal Data and Information Systems Describe state, local and national data and information systems used in road safety management.

4. Major Topics • Types and Sources of Data • State Crash Database Characteristics • Federal Databases • Benefits and Limitations of Federal Programs

5. Types of Data What types of data would be useful in road safety management?

6. Types of Data Injury Surveillance Crash Other Roadway Citation/ Prosecution/ Adjudication Driver History Vehicle Registration

7. Crash Data • Weather Conditions • Time of Day, Day of Week • Person Type (driver, occupant, pedestrian, etc.) • Number and Severity of Injuries • Traffic Law Violation • Latitude and Longitude of Crash Location • Manner of Collision • Number of Vehicles Involved • Alcohol or Drug Impairment • Direction of Travel • Crash Diagram • Narrative Description of Crash

8. Injury Surveillance • EMS Response Time • Hospital Assessment of Injury Severity • Hospital Length of Stay and Cost • Rehabilitation Time and Cost

9. Roadway What would be important elements for a roadway database?

10. Roadway • Location Referencing System • Roadway Classification • Cross sectional characteristics • Traffic Volume • Supplemental files • Rail grade crossings • Structures (bridges, tunnels)

11. Driver History • Name and Address • Age and Date of Birth • Gender and Ethnicity • Driver History – Previous Convictions • License Status

12. Vehicle Registration • Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) • Registration Information and License Plate • Age/Model/Year • Weight of Vehicle • Owner Information

13. Citation, Prosecution, Adjudication • Citation Tracking • Prosecution • Conviction and Sentencing • Recidivism • Sentencing

14. Citation, Prosecution, Adjudication • What would be some difficulties in using this type of data in road safety management?

15. Citation, Prosecution, Adjudication • Differing citation forms • Various levels of courts • Access restrictions out of privacy concerns • Lack of a common identifier

16. Other Types of Data • Listed and described in supplemental handout

17. State Database Characteristics • Relatively Complete Data on State Roads • Incomplete Data on Local Roads

18. Federal Databases Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) • HSIS – Highway Safety Information System www.hsisinfo.org • HPMS – Highway Performance Monitoring System www.fhwa.dot.gov/policy/ohpi/hpms 17

19. FHWA (cont.) • VMT – Vehicle Miles Traveled www.fhwa.dot.gov/policy/ohim/hs03/re.htm • Vehicle Registration www.fhwa.dot.gov/policy/ohim/hs03/mv.htm • Driver License Data www.fhwa.dot.gov/policy/ohim/hs03/dl.htm 18

20. NHTSA • FARS – Fatality Analysis Reporting System www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/Main/index.aspx • NASS – National Automotive Sampling System ftp://ftp.nhtsa.dot.gov/NASS • Crash Worthiness Data System (CDS) • GES – General Estimates System 19

21. NHTSA (cont.) • Crash Worthiness Data System (CDS) • CODES • WISQARS • National Driver Register • NEMSIS – National EMS Information System • http://www.nemsis.org/softwareDevelopers/downloads/datasetDictionaries.html 20

22. FMCSA • MCMIS – Motor Carrier Management Information System http://mcmiscatalog.fmcsa.dot.gov • Census • Inspection • Crash • Safety/Compliance/Educational Contact Reviews • Enforcement 21

23. Other Federal Agencies • CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars • FTA – Federal Transit Administrationwww.fta.gov • FRA – Federal Rail Administrationhttp://safetydata.fra.dot.gov/officeofsafety • BTS – Bureau of Transportation Statisticswww.transtats.bts.gov/DataIndex.asp 22

24. Benefits of National Databases • What are some benefits of these national databases? 23

25. Benefits of National Databases • National perspective/comparison • Identify State Needs • Identify Best Practices • Research 24

26. Limitations of National Programs • What some limitations in using these national databases? 25

27. Limitations of National Programs • State and Local In-Depth Analysis • Consistency • Accuracy • Timeliness 26

28. Review • Types and Sources of Data • State Crash Database Characteristics • Federal Databases • Benefits and Limitations of Federal Programs

29. Crash Data Collection and Uses Describe the process by which crash data are collected and used in road safety management.

30. Major Topics • Importance of Accurate Data • Data Collection Process • Data Improvement Strategies • Use of Safety Data in Road Safety Management

31. Crash Data Accuracy • Case Study • 60% of rural crashes coded to the zero milepost • 81% of cross roads were missing • 1/3 of all crashes missing location data • Implications • Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) • Commercial Vehicle Safety Program (CVSP) • Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP)

32. The “Torturous Path” of Crash Data Collection • Crash Occurs • Crash Report Completed • Data Recorded in Database • Crash Data Transferred to State Database • Data Analyzed and Disseminated

33. Data Deficiencies

34. Data Deficiencies • Timeliness • Accuracy • Completeness • Uniformity (or consistency) • Integration • Accessibility

35. Overcoming Data Deficiencies • Training and Education • Law enforcement officers • Court officials and adjudicators • Crash Report System Administrators • Update or Review Crash Report Form • Who should be involved?

36. Overcoming Deficiencies (cont.) • Technology (electronic collection, linkage, location identification, etc.) • Policies and Procedures • Collaboration (i.e., TRCC)

37. Electronic Reporting Systems • Traffic and Criminal Software (TraCS) • Crossroads Traffic Collision Database • Mobile Capture and Reporting System (MCRS)

38. §408 Grant Requirements • First year grant • TRCC • Multi-year strategic plan • Subsequent year grant • Traffic records assessment • TRCC • Multi-year plan • Grant funding specifications • Measurable progress

39. NHTSA/State Partnership • Traffic Records Program Needs Assessment • Compare a state traffic safety program with current guidelines • Report on the strengths and weaknesses of core systems  • Traffic Safety Information System Strategic Plan • Strategic action plan to address system deficiencies – “living document” • Encourage statewide integration of systems and resources

40. MMUCC Data Elements • Collected - Collected at the scene and recorded onto crash report • Derived - Generated from computerized crash data • Linked – Linked to injury, driver history, vehicle registration, roadway inventory, or other data files. • Crash • Vehicle • Person • Roadway

41. Data Uses for Road Safety Management • Use of Data • Political Agendas • Engineering Judgment • Conventional Wisdom

42. The Benefits of Using Data • Crash Trends • High Crash Locations • High Risk Groups • Contributing Factors • Program Evaluation

43. High Crash Locations • Number of Crashes • Severity of Crashes • Exposure, e.g., Volume of Traffic • Contributing Factors

44. High Risk Groups • Comparing Crashes to National Averages • Location • Contributing Factors

45. High Risk Groups • Comparing Crashes to National Averages • Location • Contributing Factors • Age • Helmet use • Alcohol involvement • Speeding • Unendorsed

46. Evaluation Basics • Purpose • To determine the benefits and costs of each strategy or action • To determine the effect of the overall program

47. Program Evaluation • Crash Reports and Statistics • Costs • Program Management Policies and Procedures • Public Knowledge and Attitude Surveys

48. Evaluation Measures • Identify Problems • Plan New Programs • Improve Existing Programs • Evaluate Resource Allocation/Utilization • Assess Effectiveness of Operational Policies, Procedures, and Protocols

49. Review • Importance of Accurate Data • Data Collection Process • Data Improvement Strategies • Use of Safety Data in Road Safety Management